I want to unbury a discussion several of you were having in the "next Flyer Cheif [sic]" topic currently posted. Ray noted that one could use an ERR Minicommander 2 board to convert the American Models diesels to TMCC - and that the board sells for $35. As suggested by Ray, I looked up the details on the Electricrr.com website (err.com won't get you there). It looks like the board will handle 2 amps continuous and 4 amps peak -- I presume that the AM diesels will all fall under 2 amps (?) -- and you also get directional lighting (LED) and either incandescent light control or coil coupler control. There's also serial data for a separate sound card. It looks like there is another ERR card - the AC/DC commander - that can handle up to 8 amps (and sells for $70). Could that board be used with older Flyer open-frame AC motors?
Speaking of control systems, there has also been some discussion on OGR about a system called Bluerail, which, as the name suggests, allows one to use a tablet/phone to control the loco (again with an apparent 2 amp limit) via a bluetooth app you download. Anyone have any experience with this system? How similar is it to TMCC in terms of functionality?
Finally, I note that Lionel now has a bluetooth capability in their new 'chief' control systems, but I presume that one cannot retrofit that system??
- Rich